Testing for Lipid Levels and Diabetes among Autistic Youth who are and are not Prescribed Anti-Psychotics: A Cohort...

Autistic youth have higher rates of hyperlipidemia and diabetes than non-autistic youth and thus need age-appropriate monitoring for hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Little is known about how frequently autistic youth are monitored for these conditions.

This analysis assessed monitoring for hyperlipidemia and diabetes among 230 autistic youth ages 16 to 30 years (113 were prescribed anti-psychotics, 117 were not) between January 2011 and May 2020. Outcomes assessed included the proportion of patients who had ANY testing for hyperlipidemia and diabetes in both groups, proportion of prescriptions monitored for hyperlipidemia and diabetes in the last year, and identification of patient factors associated with monitoring.

A significantly higher proportion of autistic youth prescribed anti-psychotics had testing for both hyperlipidemia and diabetes during the study period than autistic youth who were not (73% vs. 49%, p< 0.001). While most autistic youth who were prescribed anti-psychotics had some monitoring done, of the 1538 prescriptions for anti-psychotics (new and renewal) identified, 847 (55%) were considered unmonitored. Having other bloodwork done was significantly associated with higher odds of testing for hyperlipidemia or diabetes (OR 1.45, 95% CI [1.37, 1.56]), but not other factors assessed.

Most autistic youth prescribed anti-psychotics in this cohort underwent some monitoring for hyperlipidemia and diabetes, but not at a level consistent with guidelines. Many autistic youth not prescribed anti-psychotics are not getting testing for hyperlipidemia or diabetes. Providers should consider adding lipid and diabetes testing to other bloodwork, as this was positively associated with monitoring in this analysis.